I wasn't sure what Diana told them or what she had done, but nothing seemed to have moved forward during that week. Although no new evidence was found and no progress was made on the case, the press continued to cover the story non-stop. I wondered if our entire family would be under investigation or if we had to go to court. My parents were always stressed and on edge, and I would be lying if I said that their anxiety we're not getting to me. Diana seemed to be the most calm out of all of us, and it made me feel that she knew something that we all did not. “Will Dad end up in prison?” I asked her one evening while we were alone. “Is that what you wish for?” Diana asked with a teasing smile. “It doesn't matter what I wish for. I simply want to know what is going to happen,” I replied to her honestly. “This might be disappointing to you, but I don't think anything significant is going to happen to our family,” Diana replied with a shrug of her shoulders. I stared at my sister sile

“Can you tell us more? Now you’ve really got everyone's attention and we can't wait to learn about this owner of the name,” another reporter quickly chimed in. The prince seemed to hesitate a little as he continued smiling before he nodded his head. It felt like his impressive gray eyes were right in front of me and that our eyes met although he was just a figure displayed on the television screen. “I'm thinking of naming this building after someone that I find very interesting and also impressive, but as I said, I think that I should get her permission first before any official naming,” the prince replied with his eyes staring straight into the camera. “Can we take a wild guess, Your Highness? Is this lady that you're referring to the one that you're dating?” another reporter asked without missing a beat. I felt my stomach churning into knots and I suddenly felt very restless. It seemed that Diana was quite excited by the sudden development because she began gripping my hand tigh

“I suggest you turn up to the event to at least help him save face. It would reflect very poorly on you and also on the prince if you don't turn up. The prince has always been kind to you, so even if you don't like him back, you shouldn't do things that will publicly throw him under the bus. You do know this right?” My sister continued on patiently. I nodded my head a few times solemnly because I couldn't help but agree with her. Desmond had always been kind to me, and I knew that many things that he did were for my sake. Even I knew that I shouldn't throw him under the bus, both in public and in private. “You also need to act a little smarter, my sister dear. You do realize just how our parents have been much kinder and considerate to you ever since you managed to secure the prince’s favor. I'm not saying this to scare you, but if anything were to happen, I am sure that the prince will defend you and keep you safe. Maybe he can defend you much better than I ever could and that trul

“Are you two back together now?” One of the reporters asked. Although I knew that these types of questions were bound to be hurled at us, I wasn't quite prepared to answer any of them. I also hated how nosy these reporters were. Clearly they were not here to cover the naming of the school or any topic related to community service. All they were intent on finding out more about was my relationship with the prince. I stared at them as I pursed my lips together while I decided to maintain my silence. “You shouldn't ask me about this. Why don't you ask the lady instead?” The prince said as he threw the ball my way. It took all of my effort not to turn and glare at him. Instead, I plastered a lady-like smile onto my lips as I thought of an appropriate answer. “Who knows?” I replied teasingly without disclosing any other details. Perhaps Desmond could sense that I wasn't in the mood to deal with all the reporters because he quickly signaled to the guards to help us out of the place.…

Diana's words and the look of concern in her eyes came back to me along with how powerless and vulnerable she sounded when she told me that she might not be able to cover for me all the time. Some things were definitely getting out of our control. Just like how I couldn't cover for my sister for every single thing, it was becoming impossible for her to do the same. I was certain that just as much as I was worried for her, Diana was worried for me too. I would be lying if I said that the prince’s proposal to protect me didn't sound overwhelmingly tempting. However, I knew that everything came with a price of its own. “And what would I have to do in return for me to receive this proper protection from you?” I asked as I leaned slightly forward over the table. The way Desmond smiled at me told me that he was enjoying our little conversation and that he was glad that I was at least considering his proposal. “In the longer term, there is something that I need to accomplish, and for me